Do Your Legs Give Out Sometimes? This Doctor Explains Why

May 04, 2018 by apost team

We use our legs for so many daily tasks, and sometimes we take their function for granted. Nothing is more humbling than when you try to get up and wind up on the ground because your leg gave out unexpectedly.

Apparently, your legs can give out at any time, whether you're walking, running, sitting, or just standing. This phenomenon happens to a lot of people, but most of us don't understand why this happens. While a lot of these scenarios are often benign, there could be more serious underlying health problems that you should be aware of

All of our muscles can spasm from time to time, and if you suffer from a temporary leg spasm, that can lead to an embarrassing fall. Although the experience can be mortifying, leg spasms are a fluke in the body and should be no cause for concern.

Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, who is a spinal surgeon, explains that there are other causes for legs giving out that are not due to a muscle spasm.

Dr. Stefano Sinicropi wrote on his website that "Legs can 'give way' due to muscle issues, especially while exercising. These instances are not cause for alarm typically."

However, he does go into more detail for when you should be concerned. Dr. Sinicropi states that there are two major causes of legs giving out, and you should not ignore it. If your legs feel numb for a long time after they give out, you should seek medical help immediately.

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Your spine is one of the most vital parts of your body since it is tied to everything else. You might not think that your leg problem could stem from an issue in your spine, but it's possible that a pinched nerve is preventing your spine from communicating properly with your legs.

"Any time a nerve is impacted, the result is often pain, and loss of sensation in the body arms, hands, legs, or feet," Dr. Sinicropi explains.

Here are common symptoms of a pinched nerve:

• -Numbness
• -Sharp, burning pain
• -Pins and needles feeling
• -Muscle weakness

Pinched nerves can be treated with rest, physical therapy, medication, or surgery in severe cases.

Spinal cord injuries can vary in severity, but they should all be treated immediately and with thorough care.

Dr. Sinicropi says that spinal cord injuries are the most common reason for legs giving out. He goes on to explain, "Some injuries to the spine only impact the vertebrae, discs, and muscles surrounding the spine. These types of injuries typically do not result in permanent paralysis."

However, other cases can be more severe. "Spine injuries that involve nerve damage, on the other hand, often do involve some form of paralysis," he says. "Spinal cord injuries can happen during the course of a car accident while playing a contact sport, or by slipping and falling."

If your leg ever does give out and you can't figure out the direct cause, it's always best to get checked out by a doctor.

Make sure everyone you know is aware of these causes so they know when to get help!

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!